MONS, Belgium – The U.S. Army NATO Brigade held a Fall Leaders’ Summit here Nov. 14-18 for the command teams from the brigade, two battalions and nine companies.
The Allied Forces North Battalion command and staff planned and executed the event, which kicked off with an ice breaker and trivia game at the conference center.
“On behalf of Col. (Troy) Alexander and U.S. Army NATO Brigade, it really is our pleasure, Command Sgt. Maj. (Julie) Steward and I, to welcome you to Mons, our home,” said Lt. Col. Bonnie Kovatch, Allied Forces North Battalion commander. “Last year, we had to do this virtually due to COVID, so it really is special to have all of you here in our footprint.”
The purpose of the event was professional development and an opportunity for the command teams from across Europe to meet face-to-face.
“I have a particular return on investment I am trying to get this week,” said Col. Troy V. Alexander, USA NATO Brigade commander. “I am trying to ensure we all learn and develop from each other throughout this entire week.”
Some highlights of the week included semi-annual training briefs from all the teams to the brigade commander, briefings on legal issues, spiritual readiness, inspector general roles and responsibilities, enlisted and officer assignment markets, career development and promotion rates.
Participants met every morning for physical fitness training at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and on the final day they toured the Citadel of Lille in France, headquarters of the Rapid Reaction Corps – France. During the tour of the historic fortress the group received a briefing from Col. Cheryl Korver, the U.S. senior national representative assigned to the RRC-France.
The mission of U.S. Army NATO Brigade is to provide ready and resilient Soldiers to the NATO alliance by ensuring U.S. Army Soldiers and their families assigned to NATO billets receive the support they need to thrive in a variety of environments at 81 locations in 22 countries.
For more information check out the U.S Army NATO Brigade website at www.usanato.army.mil.